President Nangolo Mbumba says true independence is fundamental to the success and credibility of any nation, as it is the only way people can obtain their dignity and full humanity.
Dr. Mbumba was speaking at the 34th Independence Day celebrations at Katima Mulilo today, where thousands of people from the region and visitors gathered to witness the first national independence celebration in the region.
The event was festive as residents gathered to witness performances of the Namibia Defence Force (NDF), which is mostly liked by everyone.
The Independence Day celebrations were attended by, among others, Vice President Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, Prime Minister Saara Kugongelwa-Amadhila, Deputy Prime Minister John Mutorwa, Secretary to Cabinet Dr. George Simaata, and other top government officials.
Addressing the gathering, President Mbumba noted that Namibia's independence was attained thanks to the bravery of Namibia's sons and daughters, including the first Vice President of the Swapo Party, the late Brendan Simbwaye, and Greenwell Matongo.
He stressed that as Namibians celebrate independence, they must also celebrate the legacy of the late Hage Geingob, whom he described as an extra-ordinary revolution icon who devoted his life to the service of his people.
"It was here in the Zambezi Region that Swapo Party's SWALA operatives, the forerunners of PLAN, started political mobilisation from Singalamwe, Masida, Makanga, Kikiya, and Sibbinda in the late sixties. Indeed, the first commander of SWALA, Comrade Topbias Hainyeko, was killed in combat action in the Zambezi Region. Truly, the brave people of the great Zambezi Region, at the time when it mattered the most, did not waver but joined their fellow Namibians to overthrow the apartheid colonial regime, thereby opening the doors of independence for all Namibians."
President Mbumba observed that despite hardships caused by droughts, economic downturns, and COVID-19 together, Namibia has done well to weather such difficulties.
"We have done so by upholding the rule of law's transparency, effective governance, and accountability, on which our democracy is anchored. Let us therefore continue to work together, drawing on the inspiration of the legacy left by President Geingob, to guard the peace, unity, and stability we have. Remember, as President Geingob used to say, "It is easy to destroy what has taken a long time to build, but it is not easy to rebuild."
The President warned that those planning to disturb peace, unity, and economic development in Namibia are enemies of all people.
Dr. Mbumba called upon the security cluster to redouble their efforts to ensure that Namibia remains safe from external and internal threats, not only to citizens but to visitors alike.
"Let us not become destroyers of our own future and that of coming generations by practicing tribalism, racism, regionalism, corruption, crime, and all similar destructive habits. Rather, let us become wise national builders, pulling together in one direction, to decisively win the second phase of the struggle for economic freedom and the shared prosperity of our people."